How to choose the best Empathy Doll

Nowadays experts use the term “living with” Dementia or Alzheimers rather than “suffering from”. It’s an important difference.

Just because the parent is losing or has lost some abilities to communicate as they once did does not mean that they have become children again. In fact, they may exhibit behaviour we relate to children but they are very much an adult person with all the memories and experience they have accumulated.

Why then, would anyone give a childs doll, found in a toyshop to a parent. It is both demeaning and inappropriate.

Be careful with Dolls that make a noise as they could cause distress

In fact, there are very good reasons we created Dementia Dolls.

Our Empathy Dolls meet the need of quality and design for Dementia or Alzheimers

There is little evidence that a Parent with later stages Dementia can tell the difference between life like, plastic and our dolls when they look at the face. However other models are not necessarily going to be safe for your parent.

All our dolls are made in a soft polyester fleece to feel warm and comfortable. The bottom is firmly weighted which allows the dolls to sit comfortable and feel realistic in someone’s arms. That a very important distinction from “toy dolls”. The eyes and facial structures of outwoodcares dementia dolls are what makes them stand out from other dolls. It is no secret that their popularity is because of their cheerful and lifelike appearance. It takes about 100 different hand movements to make one single doll.

Be careful with child dolls- Some people with Dementia eat the hair

Frequently, a mum and dad will care for one of our Dementia Dolls just like their own child for hours on end. Then, fling the Dementia Doll across the room and ignore it. Sometimes the parent ends up tearing the doll apart. The next day, the parent is back to caring for their Dementia Doll in a loving and caring way. Such is the effect Dementia or Alzheimers can have. 

So our Dementia Dolls are CE marked and guaranteed for safety having been tested according to safety regulations.

Empathy Dolls can calm and relax both you and your Mum

Sue, a leading carer with over 25 years experience in Care homes writes:

“Dementia Dolls: I recently experienced the positive effect an dementia doll can have on an individual. Elsie, living within a dementia care facility, had become increasingly afraid of taking a bath or shower. Her daughter had bought a dementia doll, knowing her mother cherished the babies born into the family, so we tried to incorporate the bath-time of baby into Elsie’s daily routine. Washing the ‘baby’, singing lullabies and settling it down for the night relaxed Elsie. Singing those same songs and keeping a calm atmosphere we took Elsie for a warm bubble bath. And we have never looked back! Elsie is still enjoying a bath; her daughter is delighted her mother is now bathing; and the doll? Well it is a bit soggy and worn, but still well-loved.”

Apart from a lovely experience for Elsie, its also important to note that you as her carer need support too. Caring for and enjoying one of our Dementia Dolls is both a relaxing and rewarding experience for both you and your Mum & dad. Its a good way to recharge both you and their batteries for what often is a very stressful time.

What to consider

• Is it safe
• How will it be used
• No  one wants to demean a parent with children’s toys
• You may want to build a changing areas too for your Dementia Doll. A box of wipes and creams can be useful. Don’t forget a bottle of baby powder. That is frequently such a memorable smell- It takes most people straight back to childhood!
• Fluffy towels and water to wash the doll too.
• Mum & dad may also like a small crib where they can place their Dementia Doll down for the night. It needn’t be elaborate, just somewhere that looks cosy.